Socialization: Begin The Process Of Social

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To begin the process of socialization, having a clear understanding of the definition of nursing is essential. We know what nurses do, but how do we define nursing? Why is defining nursing important? To answer this last question, defining nursing is important for several reasons: To differentiate nursing from other professions. To define our practice. To provide guidelines for nursing education. To make nursing visible to the public and policy makers. While there may be multiple definitions of nursing from professional organizations and state boards of nursing, similar characteristics can be found in all of them.

The American Nurses Association offers the following definition: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Knowing what nursing is supports your move into the nursing role. Socialization is the process of internalizing knowledge, skills, attitudes and other concepts needed to function in a role. You have been socialized into your current role. However, after graduating with your BSN, there will be another socialization process as you take on the broader role of the nurse with a BSN.

Another way of describing the socialization process is Patricia Benner’s (1984) novice to expert stages. Some of you may be familiar with Benner’s work through your facility’s clinical ladder. Socialization of the professional nurse involves developing your knowledge and skills and interacting with other nurses who act as mentors. Throughout the education process, students encounter a variety of socializing agents, including faculty, classmates, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, patients, and family, who subsequently contribute to the formation of a professional self-identity (Lai & Lim, 2012, p. 32).

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The process of socialization in nursing is pivotal for developing competent, confident, and professional practitioners capable of delivering quality care across diverse healthcare settings. Socialization in nursing encompasses acquiring essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills that align with the standards and expectations of the nursing profession. This process begins early in nursing education and continues throughout one's career, shaping the nursing identity and reinforcing professional values.

Understanding Nursing and Its Significance

The foundation of nursing socialization lies in a clear understanding of what defines nursing. The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2010) articulates that nursing involves the protection, promotion, and optimization of health, as well as the prevention of illness and injury. This definition underscores the multifaceted role nurses play in health promotion, patient advocacy, and healing. Clearly defining nursing helps differentiate it from other health-related professions, such as medicine, pharmacy, or allied health. It also guides educational curricula, training programs, and policy development, ensuring that nurses are adequately prepared and recognized as autonomous professionals (ANA, 2010).

Furthermore, defining nursing enhances public and policy maker awareness, promoting appropriate resource allocation and support for nursing practice. This visibility is crucial, considering the ongoing global nursing shortages and the increasing complexity of healthcare needs. The broad scope of nursing, including advocacy and health promotion, makes it essential to promote an accurate understanding of the profession's contributions to individual and public health (Benner, 1984).

Theoretical Foundations of Socialization in Nursing

Socialization into the nursing profession involves internalizing a set of knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary to function effectively. This process is not static but dynamic, influenced by the environment, mentors, peers, and clinical experiences. Patricia Benner’s (1984) Novice to Expert model offers a valuable framework for understanding how nurses develop professionally through stages of increasing competence and confidence. Starting as novices, nursing students learn basic skills and theories, gradually progressing through advanced stages that involve critical thinking and autonomous decision-making, until reaching expert practice.

Benner’s model highlights that socialization is multi-dimensional, involving cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning. Mentors and clinical instructors play an integral role by guiding students and novice nurses through real-world experiences, fostering professional identity, and encouraging reflective practice. From academic environments to clinical settings, the interaction with experienced nurses, faculty, patients, and interdisciplinary teams contribute significantly to the socialization process (Lai & Lim, 2012).

Role of Socialization Agents and Professional Identity Formation

Socialization agents, including faculty members, clinical preceptors, peers, healthcare professionals, patients, and families, serve as role models and sources of feedback, shaping how nursing students and novice nurses perceive their roles and responsibilities (Lai & Lim, 2012). These agents facilitate the transition from student to practicing nurse by imparting professional norms, ethical standards, and communication skills. The socialization process also involves adopting the values and behaviors consistent with the nursing code of ethics, fostering a sense of professional identity and accountability.

The development of a professional identity is crucial for affirming one's role within the healthcare team, establishing confidence, and enhancing job satisfaction. Professional socialization also involves understanding and embracing the core competencies outlined by organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National League for Nursing (NLN). These competencies encompass patient-centered care, teamwork, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and safety (AACN, 2021).

Continuing Socialization and Lifelong Learning

While formal education imparts foundational knowledge, the socialization process continues throughout a nurse’s career, emphasizing lifelong learning and adaptation to evolving healthcare environments. New roles, emerging technologies, policy changes, and research advancements require nurses to continually update their skills and reinforce their professional identities. This ongoing socialization is facilitated by professional development activities, continuing education, affiliations with nursing organizations, and active participation in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives (Benner, 2004).

Moreover, as nurses transition into specialized roles or advanced practice, additional socialization occurs through mentorship, certification, and advanced training. This continual process ensures that nurses remain competent, ethical, and adaptable, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing the nursing profession.

Conclusion

The socialization of nurses is a fundamental process that underpins professional competence, ethical practice, and healthcare quality. It involves not only acquiring technical skills but also internalizing professional values, developing a robust professional identity, and engaging with a community of practice. Recognizing the stages and factors influencing socialization empowers nurses to navigate their careers effectively, contributing to the broader goals of health promotion and disease prevention. As healthcare continues to evolve, so too must the ongoing socialization and professional development of nurses, ensuring they remain vital contributors to a resilient healthcare system.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing's Code of Ethics with Interpretative Statements. ANA.
• Benner, P. (1984). From novice to expert. American Journal of Nursing, 84(3), 402-407.
• Benner, P. (2004). From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. Prentice Hall.
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2021). The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. AACN.
• Lai, C., & Lim, S. (2012). Socialization of nursing students: a review of the literature. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 9(1), 32.
• Kelly, D. (2017). Mentorship and socialization in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 7(12), 92-99.
• Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2018). Disciplinary socialization and professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 39(4), 195-195.
• Jenkins, B. (2014). The importance of socialization in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 53(1), 3-4.
• Ulrich, B., et al. (2010). Nurse staffing and patient outcomes: An update. American Journal of Nursing, 110(7), 46-53.
• Samuriwo, R., & Mukherjee, S. (2018). Socialization into the nursing role: A qualitative study. Nursing Research and Practice, 2018, 1-9.